Vending data communications systems

ABSTRACT

Vending machine circuitry adapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to provide data communications between a handheld device, preferably a wireless handheld device operated by a potential consumer, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld device providing the network communications connectivity for transmitting and receiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases, and/or servers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/545,976, filed Oct. 11, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to product dispensing kiosk, vendingmachine, or self-serving automatic merchandising systems (hereinafter,vending systems) and data communications methods therefor, and, moreparticularly, to electrical and electro-mechanical devices and systemsfor enhanced vending system capabilities such as, for example, productdispensing control, cashless payment methods, physical vending machineaccess control, and internal and external data communications, datasharing, and information collection.

Vending Data Interchange (VDI) standards have been developed by theNational Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) to providetechnology providers non-proprietary protocols and methods for sharingmachine-level data between various components of a vending machine andvending machine data communication systems. The VDI standards areintended to ensure reliability, continuity, and longevity for installedvending machine hardware, software, and netware. A particularly usefularticle, Innovative VDI Standards: Moving an Industry Forward, byMichael L. Kasavana, The Journal of International Management Studies,Vol. 4, No. 3, December 2009, (hereinafter, Kasavana) is excerpted inthe background section below and is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

Kasavana mentions the essence of the VDI standards is to allow for datamovement through a messaging technique to ensure data integrity oftransmitted sets of data, regardless whether the data was pulled from anetwork server or pushed to such a server. The protocols are designed topackage vending machine-level data (such as DEX and MDB data, alertsdata, cashless transaction data, etc.) in a format that allows sharingbetween different supplier systems and multiple software applications.The packaged data might be analogous to email messaging in that the fileof machine captured data forms the content of the message, and the VDIprogramming introduces a wrapper for distribution to any number of fileservers (the wrapper being similar in function to the distribution listfor an email message), independent of the particular manufacturer orservice provider.

DEX is an acronym for Data EXchange and is capable of capturingmachine-level cash in/out data, product movement data, and financialaudit data. DEX data is designed to assist vending operators developproduct replenishment strategies, product mix rotations, and cashmanagement safeguards.

MDB is an acronym for Multi-Drop Bus and is an internal (vendingmachine) communication protocol designed to ensure effective interfacebetween coin mechanisms, bill validators, and cashless payment devicesand a Vending Machine Controller (VMC). An MDB cable (or machineharness) provides physical connectivity for attaching peripheral devices(such as card reader, bill validator, etc.) to the VMC of a vendingmachine. MDB defines a serial bus interface for electronicallycontrolled vending machines, and MDB/ICP (Multi-Drop Bus/InternalCommunication Protocol) governs the interface between a vending machinecontroller and payment system peripheral devices. MDB/ICP enables theVMC to determine what coins in the coin changer and what bills in thebill validator can be accepted for cash payment. MDB/ICP alsoestablishes the amount of credit available through a payment cardreader.

The MDB/ICP standard defines a serial master-slave communication busused by the internal devices in the vending machine, such as a coinacceptor. MDB allows for immediate updating of the current status of themachine as each product is sold. In this way the MDB standard isconsidered a transaction-based mechanism. DEX on the other hand, is acumulative-based reporting system. MDB allows for the attachment of anaudit (DEX) device that (acting as a passive slave) receives informationfor all events happening on the vending machine (such as vends, soldouts, coins and bills accepted, etc.). DEX involves the retrieval ofstored information (or a snapshot of machine status) through a serialplug for connecting to, for example, a laptop PC.

Cashless transactions rely on MDB processes (eg. details of thetransaction such as card number, transaction value, product(s) sold,date, and time, for reconciliation) whereas DEX is needed for salesreporting. A DEX cable may be used to transfer DEX file informationalong with the cashless MDB data.

DEX-enabled (or DEX-compliant) vending machines may be configured totransmit data to a polling device. Local polling may use a handhelddevice or pocket probe designed to plug into a vending machine'sDEX-port or to communication via an IR port. A typical upload takesapproximately five seconds. The field collected data may then betransferred from the handheld device to a central office computer forprocessing and report generation.

Remote data collection options include dial-up polling and wirelesspolling. Dial-up polling may be used, involing a modem and telephoneline connected to the vending machine. DEX data can be transported to aremote office or warehouse location for evaluation via an internet orvirtual private network (VPN) connection. Wireless polling, similar todial-up polling, may be used whereby the vending machine is equippedwith cellular network connectivity.

These remote data collection options, however, are costly since eachrequires additional communications capabilities integral to the vendingmachine and monthly (telephone or cellular) access fees. Cellularconnectivity also presents challenges based on the architecturalstructure surrounding the vending equipment combined with strength ofcell signal strength requirements. While connectivity to the internet ora VPN may be more direct and less susceptible to structuralinfringements, such connectivity may be more costly.

What is needed, therefore, are electrical and electro-mechanical devicesand systems for enhanced vending system capabilities such as, forexample, product dispensing control, cashless payment methods, physicalvending machine access control, and internal and external datacommunications, data sharing, and information collection, that, amongother features and capabilities desirable to the vending industry,address these and other shortcomings of existing vending systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the drawingsherein illustrate examples of the invention. The drawings, however, donot limit the scope of the invention. Similar references in the drawingsindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a vending machine system, according topreferred embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary operational flow chart, according to variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the preferredembodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details, thatthe present invention is not limited to the depicted embodiments, andthat the present invention may be practiced in a variety of alternateembodiments. In other instances, well known methods, procedures,components, and systems have not been described in detail.

As an overview, the preferred embodiments generally involve circuitryadapted to interface with vending machine electronics so as to providedata communications between a handheld device, preferably a wirelesshandheld device operated by a potential consumer using the vendingmachine, and the vending machine electronics, with the handheld deviceproviding the network communications connectivity for transmitting andreceiving information to and from remote data centers, data bases,and/or servers. Preferred embodiments may include circuitry adapted toprovide data communications between the vending machine electronics andan external networked device, with the external networked deviceproviding the aforementioned network communications connectivity.Further, preferred embodiments may include circuitry adapted tointerface with physical access control for the vending machine,providing additional security features and functionality such as vendingmachine access audit information and backup/secondary lock actuationcapabilities for accessing the vending machine in the event of failureof primary power supply or vending machine electronics.

Various embodiments include additional inventive aspects, for examplemethods of allowing cashless transactions using an un-networked vendingmachine, collecting consumer feedback information, utilizing aconsumer's communication device to process prior vending transactions,and managing loss using geographically relevant transaction information.Various described embodiments also include inventive methods forproviding consumer incentives to encourage permitted use of theconsumer's handheld communication device capabilities. For example, theconsumer may be provided with transaction progress information, optionsfor determining the amount of time needed for a given transaction, orchance-based rewards in exchange for providing collectable consumerfeedback information and/or use of the consumer's communication devicecomputing and/or network communication capabilities.

Although the preferred embodiments may be implemented in a wide varietyof configurations involving different types of product dispensingkiosks, vending machines, or self-serving automatic merchandisingsystems, collectively referred to as vending systems, variousarchitectures for such vending systems, and specific networks andnetwork architectures and topologies, the following detailed descriptiondiscloses the preferred embodiments principally in the context of anexemplary vending machine-to-cell phone interface, as illustrated inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a vending machine (or product dispensingkiosk or self-serving automatic merchandising machine) system 100comprises a vending machine 102 adapted so as to utilize a handheldcommunication device 104 for cashless vending, transmission of DEXinformation, and other functions available via the handheld device.

In one embodiment, the handheld communication device 104 is a cell phoneequipped with near field, Bluetooth, wifi, audio, optical, electricalcontact-based, or other means for communicating with an appropriatecommunications interface associated with the vending machine 102. Thecell phone 104 is then networked via wireless cellular communications114, cell network/cell tower 106, and internet 108 for communicationwith a central station, data base, or server 112. As shown in FIG. 1,the cell phone 104 may be equipped with Near Field Communications (NFC)circuitry for wireless communications 113 with vending machine nearfield interface 120. The near field interface (circuitry) 120 in turncommunicates 144 with circuitry (shown as Videx board) 118 adapted tocommunicate 140 (for example, DEX and/or MDB data, alerts data, cashlesstransaction data, etc.) with vending machine electronics 122.

The vending machine 102 preferably includes vending machine electronics122 with circuitry adapted for providing DEX or MDB data viacommunication bus 140 to communications circuitry (Videx board) 118. Thevending machine electronics 122 receives power via power line 134,external power cord 132, and regular 110 VAC outlet plug 130.Communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 preferably receives DEX orMDB data from said vending machine electronics 122 via data bus 140, andreceives power via power line 138, power supply and lock drivercircuitry 126, and power line 136 (which, in one embodiment, isinterconnected to power line 134 and power cord 132.

The power supply and lock driver circuitry 126 preferably includescircuitry adapted to control actuation via 148 of an electronic lock 128in response to control signals via 142 from the communications circuitry(Videx board) 118. The power supply and lock driver circuitry 126preferably includes circuitry adapted to receive a signal modulated onone or more power line conductors 132, 136. The circuitry is adapted toreceive the modulated signal, demodulate the signal to obtain atransmitted access code, and energize the lock driver circuitry 126 toactuate the electronic lock 128 if the transmitted access code matchesan access code stored in non-volatile memory.

The vending machine 102 may optionally include wifi circuitry 124interconnected with the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 via146. The wifi circuitry 124 is preferably adapted to wirelesslycommunicate 116 with an internet access point or other wifi enableddevice 110 external to said vending machine 102. The wifi enable device110 may comprise, in one embodiment, a handheld or portable computingdevice or communications device having tethering (wireless internet)capabilities and connectivity. The communications circuitry (Videxboard) 118 is then coupled with the wifi enabled device 110 so as toprovide connectivity between an internet 108 connected server 112 andthe vending machine 102 so that DEX or MDB or other data may beexchanged between the server 112 and vending machine 102.

In operation, the vending data communications system 100 allows forvarious methods of vending product from a vending machine. In preferredembodiments, the methods 200 shown in FIG. 2, of vending product from avending machine 102, include various combinations of the vending stepsshown. In one embodiment, vending from vending machine 102 starts 202with accepting one or more payment method, for example cash 204,credit/debit/payment card 206, and cell phone 208 as means for payment.No sale 210 is progressed or made unless a payment method is accepted.If cash 204 is chosen, then the vending machine performs in atraditional manner to make the sale 222 using conventional cashtransaction means.

The vending machine 102 preferably checks for a presented card 206 (forexample, a credit card, debit card, or some other type of funds oraccount or gift card recognizable by a card reader or card readers onthe vending machine 102). If the presented card 206 (i.e. its number orother identifying indicia) appears on a good card list 214 stored inmemory, then a sale 222 is allowed. If the presented card 206 appears ona bad card list 216, then no sale 220 is allowed. However, if thepresented card 206 is neither on the good list 214 nor the bad card list216, a sale 222 is allowed unless the presented card 206 (having beenpreviously added to an unknown card list) has exceeded a card limit 218.The card limit 218 is preferably based on factors such as the totalnumber of products purchased (without payment confirmation and,thereafter removal of the presented card 206 from the unknown list andplacement onto the good card list 214), an amount of time betweenattempted sales or a frequency of attempted sales, and/or geographicalinformation associated with the presented card 206. For example, anunknown card (i.e. one that has not yet been classified as good or badbased upon payment confirmation information) may be permitted forpayment for a maximum predetermined number of products, or for a maximumof one product per hour or other time period, or for a certain number oftotal products in a given geographical area, or for a certain number ofproducts depending upon where the presented card originates. A presentedcard originating locally, for instance, may present higher risk of loss,at least until such card is reclassified as good or bad, than apresented card originating from farther away. A tourist, for example,might be allowed to use an unknown card to vend product, expecting thatsuch a presented card would carry lower risk of loss/non-payment.

The vending machine 102 preferably checks for a cell phone 208 presentedas a form of payment. In one embodiment, the user of the presented cellphone 208 holds their cell phone (having a Near Field Communicationsinterface) up to a receiving zone/proximity on the outside of vendingmachine 102 so as to facilitate/allow the cell phone to communicate withthe vending machine's communications circuitry (and near fieldinterface). The machine checks whether the presented cell phone 208indicates a new customer 212, and, if so, invites the user of thepresented cell phone to scan a QR or other optical code 224 provided bythe vending machine 102. The user scans the optical code with thepresented cell phone 208 to access a new customer account set up website226, or the user is invited to access the new customer account set upwebsite by typing in the website address on the presented cell phone.

Once in the new customer account set up website (or cell/smart phoneapplication), the user enters their credit card (or debit card) paymentauthorization information, charge limits, deposited cash/funds account(amount, etc.), and provides agreements needed for use of vendingservices, beverage company policies, etc. In one embodiment, the usermay choose from options to make purchases using a pre-paid card, acredit card, a debit card, a pre-paid account with a particular productcompany (i.e. a particular beverage company), or even to capturepurchases on (and pay via) their cell phone service provider's monthlybilling statements.

Preferably, the user is given options to use their credit card, or debitcard, or a pre-deposited funds account for beverage/vending purchases aswell as options for receiving and using reward points/credits inexchange for allowing use of their cell phone for downloading anduploading DEX and/or MDB data to and from the vending machine 102 andfor use of their cell phone cellular network service for furthervending-related data communications (for example, with server 112 asshown in FIG. 1). The user is preferably given the option to allow theircell phone to be used to collect and transmit data (includingunprocessed previous vends information that need to be reconciled forpayment confirmations and re-classification of the previously presentedcards) to servers (as illustrated in FIG. 1). The user is preferablygiven options as to tolerable wait times (for collecting data while at avending machine such as machine 102) and options for providingadditional consumer feedback (i.e. product taste preferences, packagingpreferences, etc.) in exchange for product credits or other rewards orincentives.

The vending machine 102 checks whether the presented cell phone 208indicates a registered customer 212, and, if the presented cell phoneindicates the user and presented cell phone correspond to a registeredcustomer, the vending machine 102 begins reading machine data 228 fromthe vending machine 102 to the presented cell phone while waiting forthe user to select product 230 from said vending machine, and allow sale232 of the user selected product.

The presented cell phone 208 preferably collects the read machine data228 regardless of whether the presented cell phone 208 is connected toor has an available cellular network connection. The read machine data228 is preferably stored in memory in the presented cell phone 208 forlater transmission and/or use (by an application residing on thepresented cell phone 208 and/or in response to a network server 112)once the presented cell phone 208 becomes connected to a cellularnetwork (or wifi or other network for connecting with server 112) oronce the user of the presented cell phone 208 chooses to allow cellularnetwork or other network connectivity and subsequent vending-relateddata transfer/communications.

Preferably during the allowed sale 232, and if the presented cell phone208 is connected to a cellular network, a network server is contacted234 (such as server 112 shown in FIG. 1) using the cellular connectionof the presented cell phone 208. With a cellular connection andconnection to server 112, data is then transferred 236 between thenetwork server 112 and the presented cell phone 208 and machine data isupdated 238. Updated machine data 238 is communicated from the server112 to the presented cell phone 208, and then back to the vendingmachine 102 via the Near Field Communications 113 between the presentedcell phone 208 and the vending machine 102 NFC interface 120.

In preferred embodiments, the reading of machine data 228 from thevending machine 102 to the presented cell phone includes transmittingunprocessed credit card vending sales information (likely including suchinformation for previous users of the vending machine 102 other than theinstant user of the currently presented cell phone 208) for subsequenttransfer by the presented cell phone 208 to a network server 112 forpayment processing, and transmitting DEX and other vending machine datafrom the vending machine 102 to the presented cell phone 208.

In one embodiment, the reading of machine data 228 includescommunication of a pointer or data reference so that only machine datathat is needed is transferred. For example, if another user'sinteractions with vending machine 102 resulted in partial updating ofthe machine data, up to a particular pointer reference, then onlyupdates beyond that pointer reference would still be needed andtherefore requested from a currently presented cell phone 208. Inpreferred embodiments, the pointer or data reference point iscommunicated back to the server 112. The pointer is preferablycommunicated back to the particular vending machine 102. The pointer ispreferably passed to the next customer that presents a cell phone aspayment to the vending machine 102. In one embodiment, the maximumnumber of data records, assuming one record per vendable product, mightbe the number of vended and vendable product associated with the vendingmachine. If the vending machine 102 (not having its own internal networkcommunications means) is not visited and interacted with (by aregistered customer) for downloading/updating of machine data, paymentconfirmations, etc., then the service technician performing monthlyrestocking and maintenance would have to at most download the datarecords for those vended and vendable product. In one embodiment, theservice technician may use a presented cell phone 208 to interact with(and transmit DEX, MDB, and other vending machine data) the vendingmachine 102 as would a another customer interacting with the vendingmachine 102 via their cell phone.

Regarding physical access into the vending machine 102, for example, bya service technician, according to one embodiment the vending machine102 comprises a card reader (whether swipe magnetic and/or proximitytype reader) with the vending machine 102 checking whether a presentedcard 206 authorizes access control of the vending machine 102 forphysical access into the machine (for the restocking, maintenance, andservicing thereof) and energizing lock driver circuitry 126 andactuating an electronic lock 128 in response to the presented card 206.

The service technician may also, in one embodiment, gain access to thevending machine 102 by actuating the electronic lock 128 viaauthenticated communications using a presented cell phone 208. Thetechnician preferably uses a secure cell phone application tocommunicate with the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 toactivate the lock driver circuitry 126 via connection 142 to actuate(open) the electronic lock 128.

Another way to gain entry to vending machine 102, preferably as abackup/secondary method, is for the service technician to use anX10-type device (a power line carrier device) that modulates a signalonto the power line 132 via interconnection with standard outlet plug130. X10 uses RF bursts at a frequency different than the 50 to 60 Hz AC(110 volt) power band, typically encoding/modulating a signal onto a 120kHz carrier. The service technician may simply unplug the vendingmachine 102 standard power supply plug 130, plug the vending machinepower supply plug into the X10-type device, and finally plug theX10-type device back into the standard 110 VAC wall outlet to power boththe X10-type device and the vending machine 102.

In preferred embodiments, the vending machine 102 includes power supplyand lock driver circuitry 126 that is interconnected with the primarypower line 134 (inside the machine 102), cord 132, and standard machineoutlet plug 130. The power supply and lock driver circuitry 126preferably includes circuitry for receiving a signal modulated on one ormore of the conductors of the power lines/plug 134, 132, 130, circuitryfor demodulating the signal to obtain a transmitted access code, andenergizing the lock driver circuitry 126 to actuate (open) theelectronic lock 128 if the transmitted access code matches a storedaccess code (thereby authenticating operation of the electronic lock).

Portions of circuitry needed for the aforementioned electronic lockoperation may be divided differently than described above or asillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the stored access code may reside inmemory associated with the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 orwith the portion of circuitry shown as power supply and lock driver 126.Likewise, the circuitry for receiving and demodulating an X10-type powerline carrier signal may reside in the communication circuitry (Videxboard) 118 rather than with the lock driver circuitry 126. The modulatedsignal may be fed to the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 viapower supply line 138.

It is also to be understood that the particular arrangement andaggregation of circuitry shown in vending machine 102 in FIG. 1 may bere-arranged, in various alternate embodiments. For example, the NearField Communications interface 120 and/or optional wificircuitry/interface 124 may be collocated and integrated with thecommunications circuitry (Videx board) 118. Likewise, portions of thepower supply and lock driver circuitry 126 may be integral to one ormore of the other functional blocks shown in FIG. 1, for instanceintegral with the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118.

In preferred embodiments, the user accounts (such as smartphoneapplications and customer account websites) and use of the user's cellphone data collecting and data communications capabilities are adaptedfor collecting consumer feedback information. In exchange for allowinguse of the user's cellular connectivity for data collecting and forproviding feedback on product attributes, the user's/customers arepreferably provided credits, rewards, or other incentives. For example,a T-shirt give-away may be communicated to user's via their cell/smartphones in exchange for providing particular feedback as to a specificvended product. The specific vended product may comprise a product withslight modification (for example, the addition of a trace amount of aflavoring or mineral or nutrient) where the consumer may use a QR code(for example on the inside/underside of a beverage cap/lid or on theproduct packaging) to access a consumer feedback space that is specificto that particular modified product and for the specific consumer (basedon the consumer's customer registration/account/cell phoneidentification information). Different QR codes may be used todifferentiate product from different vended product suppliers (i.e.different bottlers). Using QR codes to identify batches of product, forexample, provides a blind (higher quality) consumer feedback mechanism.Feedback is preferably collected and directed to, for example,particular bottling companies by the server 112.

Modified product, in preferred embodiments, may be introduced in aparticular geographic region, in particular times of the year (seasons),and to accommodate particular regional cultures and taste preferences,all of which may be conveniently tracked using the aforementionedvending data communications systems and methods for collecting highquality, real-time or very near real-time, product specific consumerfeedback. Various described embodiments include inventive methods forproviding consumer incentives to encourage permitted use of theconsumer's handheld communication device capabilities. For example, theconsumer may be provided with transaction progress information. As datacommunications proceed, the consumer is preferably provided with aprogress bar visual queue that also includes a visual indication of thereward credits being accumulated, in real-time. Incentives may beoffered to registered customers for visiting particularly remote vendingmachines (for improving data collection and communications with thoseparticular un-networked vending machines).

Options are preferably given to the consumer regarding the amount oftime needed for a transaction. Preferably, customers using payment bycell phone are given a dynamic amount of time for their transaction withvending machine 102. For example, if a registered customer wouldotherwise prefer to receive additional credits and rewards but forimmediate time pressures, the customer is preferably given options tocut short the transaction. As the transaction is cut short, perhapsfacilitated by giving the customer an option to press a button(preferably on their cell/smart phone) communication of a pointer ordata reference is used so as to minimize the amount of time needed toconclude the customer transaction. The customer is preferably shownrewards/benefits of allowing more time/more updates to proceed.

Further incentives, according to preferred embodiments, includechance-based rewards in exchange for providing collectable consumerfeedback information and/or use of the consumer's communication devicecomputing and/or network communication capabilities. For example, aconsumer may receive chances for winning particular merchandise andrewards for permitting use of the consumer's cell phone network forvending data communications.

Cost savings to vending machine operators and owners, by utilizingun-networked vending machines, include the recurring monthly cellular,telephone, or other communications network access fees, in addition tothe particular electronics necessary for interconnecting/networkingstand alone vending machines. Added costs for circuitry and electronicssuch as the communications circuitry (Videx board) 118 and otherinterface, power supply, and related circuitry are low, offset bysavings found in the selection and design of electronic lock relatedcomponents used in the vending machine, and offset by costs saved byeliminating monthly/recurring network access fees as well as themonthly/recurring fees charged by vending telemetry service providersand cashless service providers.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the forgoingspecification are used therein as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding equivalence of the features shown and describedor portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the inventionis defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

I claim:
 1. A method of dispensing a product from vending machine, themethod comprising: (a) providing a vending machine including a shortrange wireless communication interface; (b) establishing communicationbetween said vending machine and a first data processing device, saidfirst data processing device including a short range wirelesscommunication interface compatible with said short range wirelesscommunication interface of said vending machine and a long rangecommunication interface; (c) transmitting a request from said first dataprocessing device to said vending machine to dispense said product; (d)transmitting vending machine data from said vending machine to saidfirst data processing device; (e) storing said vending machine data in amemory accessible to said first data processing device; (f) respondingto said request by one of dispensing said requested product andproviding an indication as to status of said request; and (g)transmitting said stored vending machine data to a second dataprocessing device remote from said vending machine and said first dataprocessing device with said long range communication interface of saidfirst data processing device.
 2. The method of dispensing a product ofclaim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a) receiving updated vendingmachine data from said second data processing device with said firstdata processing device; and (b) transmitting said updated vendingmachine data to said vending machine with said short range communicationinterface of said first data processing device.
 3. The method ofdispensing a product of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a)transmitting to said vending machine an identification of said firstdata processing device as a payor for said product; (b) if said firstdata processing device is registered with said vending machine as apayor for a vendible product, transmitting said vending machine data tosaid first data processing device and dispensing said product; and (c)if said first data processing device is not registered with said vendingmachine as a payor, inviting a user of said first data processing deviceto register said first data processing device as a payor with one ofsaid remote second data processing device and another data processingdevice.
 4. The method of dispensing a product of claim 3 furthercomprising the step of transmitting from said one of said second dataprocessing device and another data processing device an identificationof said first data processing device as a payor for products vendible bysaid vending machine.
 5. The method of dispensing a product of claim 1wherein vending machine data comprises a vending machine inventorydatum.
 6. The method of dispensing a product of claim 1 wherein vendingmachine data comprises a product payment datum.
 7. The method ofdispensing a product of claim 1 wherein vending machine data comprises aservice datum for said vending machine.
 8. The method of dispensing aproduct of claim 1 wherein said long range communication interface ofsaid first data processing device comprises an interface to a cellulartelephone network.
 9. The method of dispensing a product of claim 1wherein said short range communication interfaces of said first dataprocessing device and said vending machine comprise respectivenear-field communication circuits.
 10. The method of dispensing aproduct of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting adata reference point datum from said vending machine to said first dataprocessing device, said data reference point datum indicating a lastvending machine datum transmitted to said first data processing device;and (b) transmitting said data reference point datum from said firstdata processing device to said remote second data processing device.